Why The Best Teams Don’t Always Get Along
Penny Schlyer • April 9, 2025

The best teams don’t avoid conflict; they use it to fuel growth. 

Healthy teams are composed of people with healthy relationships, riding waves of immense cooperation and energy to immense disagreement and conflict.

It comes with the territory. Growth naturally creates tension - new challenges, bigger decisions, and different perspectives all lead to conflict.


Beware!


If your team never has disagreements or conflicts, it could be a sign of stagnation or apathy, which is not good.

Conflict is a necessary part of growth, whether it's your inner conflict forcing you out of your comfort zone or conflict on your team forcing them to think or do things differently. 


It’s the way the conflict is handled that matters.


The strongest businesses aren’t built by people who agree on everything. They’re built by teams who challenge each other, push for better solutions, and aren’t afraid of tough conversations.

The key is knowing the difference between healthy conflict and toxic conflict, and making sure disagreements lead to progress, not problems.


Growth Creates Tension And That’s a Good Thing


Things to remember:

  • If no one is pushing back, you’re probably not innovating.
  • If everyone agrees all the time, big opportunities might be getting overlooked.
  • If tough conversations aren’t happening, frustrations may be simmering under the surface.


So, ask yourself: Is your team too agreeable—or are they engaged in real discussions that drive progress?


Toxic Conflict vs. Growth Conflict


What's the difference? Destructive disagreements vs. productive tension.


Toxic Conflict:

❌ Personal attacks or blame

❌ Office politics or hidden agendas

❌ Arguments that go in circles without resolution

❌ Avoiding conversations out of fear 

 

Growth Conflict:

✅ Strong opinions backed by logic and experience

✅ Challenging ideas while respecting people

✅ Tension that leads to better decisions

✅ Debate focused on solving business problems, not personal ones

 

A growing business needs growth conflict, a space where ideas are debated, decisions are challenged, and better solutions are created from tough discussions.


Do You Have Too Little or Too Much Conflict?


If your business is growing, but your team isn’t disagreeing, you might have too little conflict. 

Signs of this include:

  • Everyone nods in agreement, even when decisions are big.
  • Team members hesitate to challenge ideas, especially leadership.
  • Frustrations surface in private conversations but not in meetings.
  • People just aren't following through on decisions or new directions.

 

On the other hand, if conflict is constant and draining, you might have too much. 

Signs include:

  • Meetings feel like battles, not discussions.
  • People are more focused on proving they’re right than solving problems.
  • Decisions take forever because no one can align.

A healthy balance means your team can disagree, debate, and move forward without resentment or wasted energy.

 

How to Turn Conflict Into Progress


To make disagreements productive instead of painful, try these strategies:

  • Set ground rules: Make it clear that debate is encouraged but must stay focused on ideas, not personal attacks.
  • Change your approach: Hold your perspective back until after people have a chance to share their perspectives. 
  • Modulate your reaction: People should feel comfortable challenging leadership or sharing dissenting views without fear of backlash.
  • Encourage “red teaming”: Assign someone to play devil’s advocate in meetings, forcing the team to examine all angles.
  • Resolve, don’t revisit: Once a decision is made, commit to it. Endless rehashing or constant changes in direction create frustration.
  • Celebrate disagreement: Reinforce that strong debates lead to better outcomes, not division.


Great teams don’t avoid conflict, they manage it well.


ACTION: Reframe a Conflict as a Sign of Growth


This week, look at one recurring conflict in your business. Instead of seeing it as a problem, ask yourself:

  • Does this mean my team is engaged and thinking critically?
  • Are we pushing each other toward better solutions?
  • How can I guide this debate toward a productive resolution?


Conflict, when handled right, is a sign of momentum, innovation, and progress.


So the next time tensions rise, don’t panic - lean in, listen, and use it to fuel your business forward.


Remember, through healthy discussion comes a sense of personal impact which is what makes healthy teams thrive.


Learn more about how we can help through our DISC Assessments and Team Workshops.

 

Happy Employees
By Penny Schlyer February 14, 2025
Your Rallying Cry isn’t just a mission statement—it’s the heartbeat of your business. It’s what excites you and your team to show up every day. It’s the deeper purpose behind why your company exists and the impact you want to create.
Business Coaching
By Penny Schlyer December 18, 2024
As a business owner, it’s good practice to take the time to assess whether your work reflects your purpose and passion so you can make some changes or double down full speed ahead. Reflecting on how your business is doing and what lies ahead can give you clarity.
By Penny Schlyer October 21, 2024
Hiring in today’s job market is more challenging than ever. Business owners are feeling the pressure to find candidates who not only have the skills to do the job but also care about the customer experience. If you’ve been frustrated by hiring employees who seem great in interviews but don’t deliver once on the job, you’re not alone. The workforce has changed, and many business owners are noticing a shift in work ethic post-COVID. But there’s still hope. You can attract the right candidates who genuinely care about making an impact by leveraging your unique customer experience as a hiring tool. Here’s how to craft job postings that attract employees aligned with your vision. 1. Focus on Impact, Not Just Tasks Most job descriptions are filled with lists of tasks and qualifications. But if you want to hire employees who care about more than just completing tasks, you need to focus on the impact they’ll have on your customer experience. Think about it this way: Instead of just saying, “Handle customer inquiries,” shift the focus to what that role contributes to your business. For example, “As part of our team, you’ll play a critical role in creating memorable experiences for our customers by ensuring every inquiry is handled with empathy and professionalism.” Why this works: People want to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. When you emphasize how their work impacts the overall customer experience, you attract candidates who are motivated by making a difference. 2. Steer Clear of Trendy Job Titles Writing fun, trendy job titles like “Customer Service Rockstar” or “Project Management Ninja” might be tempting, but these terms can sometimes backfire. While they sound playful, they don’t always communicate the seriousness of the role or the impact you expect employees to make. More importantly, these terms can attract the wrong candidates. If you do use this type of language, make sure to define what it actually means for your business. For example, if you’re using “Customer Service Rockstar,” you need to clarify that this means someone who excels at creating positive customer interactions and is committed to going above and beyond for each client. Why this matters: You want to attract candidates who understand the importance of the job and how it ties into your customer experience vision, not just those looking for a fun, trendy workplace. 3. Emphasize Your Values and Company Culture One of the biggest mistakes companies make when hiring is failing to communicate their unique values and culture. If your business prides itself on providing excellent customer service, your job posting should reflect that. Example: “We believe in going above and beyond for our customers. As a part of our team, you’ll contribute to delivering exceptional service, ensuring every interaction leaves a lasting, positive impression.” Why this is essential: In today’s market, employees aren’t just looking for a paycheck—they’re looking for structure, purpose, and the opportunity to make an impact. By emphasizing your company values and how employees contribute to your customer experience, you’ll attract candidates who want to be part of a well-respected team that shares their commitment to excellence. 4. Clarify the Role’s Contribution to Your Business’s Success When writing a job posting, it’s essential to communicate how the role contributes to the overall success of your business. Employees who understand their part in the bigger picture are likelier to take ownership of their role and deliver outstanding results. Ask yourself: How does this role fit into your business’s long-term strategy? How does it support the customer experience you’ve worked so hard to create? By answering these questions, you’ll craft a job description that resonates with candidates who are driven by more than just a paycheck. 5. Balance Qualities with Skills and Be Transparent About Challenges While it’s important to highlight the values and impact of the role, don’t forget to include the specific qualities and skills someone needs to succeed in the position. At the same time, be transparent about any challenges the role may involve, rather than glossing over them or using vague language. Think about it this way: For example, instead of saying: “We’re looking for a go-getter who’s willing to go above and beyond for our clients” —which might come off as a red flag to some solid candidates—you could say: “We’re looking for a candidate who prioritizes the customer experience, which may require working some nights and weekends.” Why this matters: Being upfront about the challenges helps you attract candidates who are truly ready to handle the demands of the role. Transparency builds trust with potential employees and ensures you’re bringing in people who understand what’s expected from the start. Attract Employees Who Care About Making an Impact Hiring employees who care about delivering exceptional customer experiences starts with how you position your roles. By focusing on the impact they’ll have, steering clear of confusing job titles, and emphasizing your company’s values and culture, you’ll attract candidates who align with your customer experience vision. Remember, the goal isn’t to fill a role—it’s to build a team that supports your business and delivers the customer experience you’ve worked so hard to create. Creating a culture of accountability in your business goes beyond one job posting, however. Need help defining the uniqueness of your customer experience and the culture you’re looking to create? Let’s schedule a consultation to talk about how you can attract and retain the right employees who are as passionate about your customers as you are.
Subconscious Mind
By Penny Schlyer July 11, 2024
Change your thinking. Focus on the solution instead.
By Penny Schlyer July 3, 2024
Have you considered the transformative power of picturing your endgame? Download this valuable eBook to learn about creating a roadmap for the next stage of your entrepreneurial journey.
Mow your lawn
By Penny Schlyer July 3, 2024
How you mow your lawn can say a lot about your behavior tendencies. Let's take a humorous look at DISC. During one of my coaching sessions last week, my client came up with a fun analogy about DISC profiles and mowing the lawn that I just had to share with you.
Creator
By Penny Schlyer February 12, 2024
In our businesses, careers, and life, it's easy to get distracted or derailed by circumstances that are seemingly beyond our control - hurdles standing in the way of our goals and dreams. But here's the thing: you can break free from this cycle and turn your constraints into opportunities!
Running Your Business
By Penny Schlyer December 13, 2023
Entrepreneurship can be an emotional roller coaster – from exhilarating highs when you win that big hairy contract, to gut-wrenching lows when the inevitable pitfalls of business hit hard. If you’re like most owners, you started your business, or took over the family business to follow a passion and to have freedom.
Creating a strong culture in business
By Penny Schlyer November 7, 2023
Core values are critical in helping you to attract and retain employees, as well as reinforce the way you are known in your community and with your customers. And they don't have to be soft.
Leadership Coaching
By Penny Schlyer September 3, 2023
Key Qualities of an Effective Leader
Show More